Hemp oil is a true superfood with a variety of nutrients that are vital to health. Hemp is growing in popularity as a supplement for humans and, as it turns out, your pet can benefit from it too!
Here are some of the ingredients in hemp seed oil that can benefit your pet and their health.
#1 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
GLA is an essential building block for prostaglandins in the body and deficiencies in GLA can lead to allergies, arthritis, premature aging, digestive issues, diabetes and cancer as well as skin problems. So your dog needs to get enough of it and hemp oil can help out with that. Some of the many health benefits of GLA include the following:
#2 Omega-3 and Omega 6
Omega-6 and omega-3 fats work together to manage inflammation in the body. Hemp oil contains a good balance of these fats and that is vital for health because they work synergistically in the body. These fats will work together to manage inflammation in the body and to help the body recover.
Omega-3s help to lower inflammation and control chronic inflammation. Long-term chronic inflammation could lead to many health problems, including:
So by adding hemp oil to your pet’s diet, you can help prevent these diseases.
Omega-3 fats are also beneficial for the eyes, brain, skin, heart, bone, joints and immune system. They help to promote excellent blood flow and will help to improve overall organ function.
#3 Antioxidants
Hemp oil contains antioxidants that help the immune system by fighting free radical damage. These occur when your pet absorbs toxins from vaccines, drugs, chemicals, pesticides, processed foods or pollution. They can cause oxidative stress in your dog’s body which can damage proteins, cells, and DNA. Antioxidants help keep free radicals under control and promote better health for your pet. These vitamins can also help to slow the decline of immune response as your dog gets older.
#4 Phospholipids
Phospholipids are molecules that are vital to help form part of the outer membrane of cells in the body. They help the cell maintain its internal structure and environment. The effects of dietary phospholipids include the following:
#5 Better Than Fish Oil
There are no reported side effects from using hemp oil for pets, which is not the same that can be said for fish oil.
Fish oil is processed using heat so it can become rancid easily, which means it can cause inflammation in your pet. It can also contain contaminants like radiation and mercury, which doesn’t seem very healthy. Hemp oil is cold pressed which makes it more stable to use than fish oil. It is less likely to become rancid, however you should still keep in the refrigerator for longer shelf life. Organic hemp oil is also grown without pesticides or other toxins, so contaminants are not a problem.